The Lemon IndexA clunk over bumps usually comes from a worn suspension part.
Fix soon. Usually OK for now. Get it checked soon.
Worn sway bar links or bushings. Then: worn struts, shocks or strut mounts; worn ball joints or control arm bushings.
Owners describe this in 703 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford Escape.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Ford Escape | 27 | 2% |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata | 16 | 0.5% |
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata | 8 | 0.4% |
| 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt | 6 | 0.4% |
| 2004 Ford Escape | 6 | 1% |
| 2001 Dodge Dakota | 5 | 0.7% |
| 2006 Ford Escape | 5 | 0.7% |
| 2005 Mazda Tribute | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 Kia Optima | 5 | 0.8% |
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata | 5 | 0.3% |
| 2013 Kia Optima | 5 | 0.3% |
| 2002 Dodge Dakota | 4 | 0.6% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2005 Ford Escape · 2% 2011 Hyundai Sonata · 0.5%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of clunking noise over bumps
- Worn sway bar links or bushings
- Worn struts, shocks or strut mounts
- Worn ball joints or control arm bushings
- Loose or broken suspension bolts
- A broken coil spring
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive with a clunking noise over bumps?
Fix soon. Usually OK for now. Get it checked soon.
Get help right away if the steering feels loose; the car leans or sits lower on one corner.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: suspension (61%), steering (27%), structure (14%), power train (13%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 66,000 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (122), Chevrolet (80), Dodge (61), Toyota (61), Hyundai (52).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (steering, suspension repairs): the middle half ran $500 to $1,200, typical $900, from 13 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Related symptoms
Clicking noise when turning Loose steering wheel Car shakes at highway speed Car pulls to one side Steering wheel hard to turn Steering wheel locked up
Quick answers
What causes clunking noise over bumps?
A clunk over bumps usually comes from a worn suspension part. Common causes: worn sway bar links or bushings; worn struts, shocks or strut mounts; worn ball joints or control arm bushings; loose or broken suspension bolts; a broken coil spring.
Is it safe to drive with a clunking noise over bumps?
Fix soon. Usually OK for now. Get it checked soon.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Ford Escape, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 13 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $500 to $1,200. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup